ERCOT Paid Companies To Shut Off Power During February's Storm

Good morning, Dallas! It's Thursday, Sept. 2.

Your Headlines: ERCOT's program to control natural gas — which powers the state's power grid — not only allowed those gas companies to shut down during February's winter storm, it paid them to do so, according to a new report.

First in, last out: A local relief organization known as Texas Baptist Men arrived yesterday in Gonzales, Louisiana, to begin feeding displaced Hurricane Ida victims. They'll start tomorrow by preparing 6,000 hot meals.

And finally, five Waco-area schools have been closed after two teachers died from COVID-19 complications. Now, today's weather: Humid throughout the day. High: 97, low: 77.

Here are the top stories in Dallas today:

1. A toxicology report shows there were no drugs or alcohol in Angela West's system. What happened? (NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth)
2. The city of Fort Worth asks residents not to hide from past-due rent, but to get help. (News Desk)
3. Apartment occupancy is up and rents are soaring in Dallas-Fort Worth. (Dallas Business Journal)
4. Here's a preview of what you'll see at this years's TBAAL Riverfront Jazz Festival.(WFAA.com)
5. The Dallas Art Fair is returning for its 13th year after canceling in 2020. (D Magazine)

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Today in Dallas

• Football (JV) vs Birdville HS @ HHS (JVO @ 5 & JVB @ 6:30). (Noon)
• Western Dress-Up Day - Grand Prairie High School. (Noon)
• Girls Region Choir Rehearsals Begin - Keller Middle School. (7:15 a.m.)
• Cross Country @ Midlothian - CHISD Athletics. (8 a.m.)
• COVID-19 vaccination clinic at the GRCTC. (8 a.m.)
• Toddler Storytime - Music & Movement. (9:30 a.m.)

Dallas Patch Notebook

• Dallas Cowboys: "From a treacherous upbringing to a reality TV opportunity, no player in professional sports has traveled the path of Jesse Holley. Learn how the WR turned his wildest dreams into his own reality." (Instagram)
• Dallas Mavericks: "The squad is pumped to have ya, @jareddudley10. Update: His profile picture has been changed #MFFL" (Instagram)
• Dallas Museum of Art: "Opening for free Sept. 14, 'Bosco Sodi: La fuerza del destino' will feature approximately 30 outdoor sculptures created from clay sourced at Sodi’s studio in Oaxaca, dried in the sun, and fired in a traditional brick kiln." (Instagram)
• Dallas ISD: "Five decades after Sam Tasby was the centerpiece of the lawsuit that ended segregation in Dallas ISD, two of his descendants are working in the district to continue his legacy of equity and bettering lives through education." (Facebook)
• Dallas Area Rapid Transit (Official DART page): "The DART Board of Directors has unanimously approved the DARTzoom Final Bus Network Plan, which includes a complete redesign of the DART bus network." (Facebook)

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Events:

• Free Family Mini Photo Sessions! (September 5)
• Terradyne's Grand Opening and Blood Drive Event! (October 2)
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You're officially in the loop for today! I'll be back in your inbox tomorrow with another update. If you're into these newsletters, consider inviting some of your friends and neighbors to read along. You can send them this link to subscribe.

— Kevin Phinney

About me: Kevin Phinney has lived and worked as a writer and editor in Austin, Los Angeles, New Orleans, Seattle and New York City. He was born in Brooklyn, New York and was raised in El Paso. Phinney attended college in Austin. He has done television work as a reporter and commentator, and is a former host of a weekday drive-time radio show called "Kevin & Kevin in the Morning" on KGSR-FM (now known as Austin City Limits Radio). He is also the author of "Souled American, " a book tracking race relations in America through music. It was published by BILLBOARD Books, and is often used in college classrooms across the country.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Dallas Daily? I'm all ears. You can email me at kevin.phinney@patch.com.